Smart Defence

In these times of austerity, each euro, dollar or pound sterling counts. Smart Defence is a cooperative way of thinking about generating the modern defence capabilities that the Alliance needs for the future. In this renewed culture of cooperation, Allies are encouraged to work together to develop, acquire, operate and maintain military capabilities to undertake the Alliance’s essential core tasks agreed in NATO’s Strategic Concept. That means harmonising requirements, pooling and sharing capabilities, setting priorities and coordinating efforts better.

NATO Review

Smart Defence - in action
22 Oct. 2013There's been a lot of talk about Smart Defence. Talk about how it is needed to plug gaps, save money and adapt to the economic crisis. This edition of NATO Review aims to go beyond the talk - and show some action. Smart Defence in action - the savings it makes, the collaboration it brings and the mindsets it tackles - may be the best advert for more of the same.

Helicopters - and why they’re important
15 Oct. 2013Despite often being expensive, high maintenance and tricky to operate, armed forces know they need helicopters. Whether it’s getting troops in, or the wounded out, helicopters are often the ‘go to’ choice. NATO Review looks at nations’ ongoing need for helicopters – and how they’re making it easier to use them together.

Modern defence: better smart than sexy?
15 Oct. 2013A huge array of equipment that has flowed into Afghanistan over more than a decade must now leave in more or less 12 months. This means calling in some specialist kit to get the job done, including massive air transport planes. NATO Review looks at how several countries have worked together to share this kit, saving money and time.

How to airlift armed forces
15 Oct. 2013NATO is redeploying vast amounts of equipment from Afghanistan, some of it by air. This infographic shows how some countries have used the Ruslan plane to help - and why it is so important.

Smart defence - projects in the pipeline
15 Oct. 2013What's the next activity we can expect from Smart Defence? What difference will real projects make? Here we outline eight projects which are coming online soon and highlight the potential benefits.

Smart Defence
04 Apr. 2012Smart Defence is 'learning by doing'. But, with budgets down and risks up, the learning has to start soon. NATO Review looks into what this could mean for everyone.

Smart Defence - the political angle
04 Apr. 2012How does NATO's top brass see the Smart Defence project? How much do they see the difficulties, opportunities and importance of it? NATO Review asked NATO's Deputy Secretary General - and Smart Defence envoy - Ambassador Alexander Vershbow to find out.

Smart Defence - the parliamentary angle
04 Apr. 2012Smart Defence will suffer if it doesn't get the national parliaments to sign up to it. So how is the project seen in these nations? NATO Review asked NATO Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General David Hobbs for his view.

Smart Defence: what does it mean?
30 Mar. 2012When it comes to explaining Smart Defence, there's probably nobody more qualified than Ludwig Decamps. He heads up NATO's Smart Defence team. Here NATO Review quizzes him on what the project means, how it could work and why it's important.

Smart Defence: the economic angle
30 Mar. 2012Smart Defence is not all about the economy. But the economic crisis has certainly played its part. How does the economic landscape look now. And what effect could this have on the development of Smart Defence. NATO Review asks NATO's Senior Defence Economist for his insights.

Smart Defence for Greece and Turkey?
30 Mar. 2012How easy would it be for two very different neighbours to engage in Smart Defence? One has economic problems while the other has growing influence in the region. Greek and Turkish analysts look at how and if this could work?

Smart Defence: the analyst's view
30 Mar. 2012How do those outside see Smart Defence? And do they see it working? Dr Bastian Giegerich of the International Institute for Security Studies has already written a brief paper analysing Smart Defence. Here NATO Review asks him about the main points.

From finance to defence
22 Jul. 2009From finance to defence: how did the financial crisis arrive - and where will it lead? NATO's Senior Economist Adrian Kendry gives a guided tour of the the paths linking the crisis with security.

Security and the effects of budgetary constraints
05 Jan. 2011There has been little economic good news of late. Budgetary pressures are growing across NATO ’s 28 member nations. But, as NATO governments and parliaments contemplate savings, they should keep in mind the fundamentals of our free market economy; the importance of sharing the security burden within NATO; and the many possibilities for spending smarter, including by bringing NATO and the EU closer together.

Safety in numbers - NATO and its partners
14 Apr. 2011Are NATO's partnerships becoming more or less important? Are they a cheaper way of offering security? And are they the key to a comprehensive approach to security? This video looks at how NATO's relationships are changing, why and who's benefiting.

What does it mean for the military
03 Mar. 2010How will the timing of this new Strategic Concept affect the outcome? Will it be able to deal with threats for decades to come? How will it change the way international organizations work together? And what will its changes mean for the men and women in uniform? All of these questions come under scrutiny in this section.

Uniforms are getting greener
15 Jun. 2011Green issues are no longer the preserve of hippies and tree huggers. The military knows just how important they are. The BBC's environment correspondent, David Shukman, recounts how climate has become part of defence planning.